Rachel's Project - Clara Wiggins

Get a Vision - Change the World!

It only takes a spark to get a fire going..." Those were words I used to sing from my old youth choir days. Clara's testimony below is an example of what can happen when we grab hold of the spark and put some action to it - who knows what God will do. Here is how that spark started for Clara.

I started The Transformation Initiative (TTI) when I returned from my first trip to Kenya. On that trip I met a woman named Rachel who changed my life. She was HIV positive, had three children, no way to make a living and she was dying. She lived in a slum in the most horrible conditions I had every seen. Over the course of my trip and after doing some research upon my return, I learned that Rachel's story is not unique. There are about 1billion people on the planet in the same situation. I was compelled to do all I could to get involved in helping women like Rachel and the children that are orphaned as a result of Aides. Rachel died in December of 2007. I started "The Rachel Project" in her honor. The goal of the project is to provide food, clothing, medical care and other basic things to children that are left on their own after their parents die from AIDS. TTI is working in partnership with a local non profit in Kenya that supports a large number of HIV orphans. We try to send $200.00 every month to help support these kids.

Clara

If you would like to be a part of fanning the flame, visit...

http://transformationinitiative.org/

Economic Questions and Answers with Dave Ramsey

Over the past month, we’ve witnessed the largest bankruptcy in history, the stock market dropping like a rock, and the talking heads on TV freaking out that the world is coming to an end. I’m here to tell you the truth—we’re going to make it. We’re going to be fine. Take a chill pill.
This month I’ve compiled some of the most-asked questions I’ve gotten recently from you:
Are we okay, Dave?
Definitely. Remember Enron and WorldCom in the recent years? We survived that. But much worse than all this was the financial crisis of the ‘80s – S&L collapse and 1,000 bank failures in 2 years. We’re nowhere near this type of thing; that was probably 50 to 100 times worse than all of this.
What does all of this come back to?
Greedy banks financing homes to broke people. It all seemed to work okay in their minds when the economy was booming, but when the economy slowed a little bit broke people quit paying on their subprime mortgages. DUH. No wonder they went out of business. Stupid decisions.
Is there anything we can do to fix this bailout mess?
YES! Here's a quick summary: Companies that had billions in subprime loans were feeling the effects of their stupid decision to make those loans in the first place, and practically gave them away for pennies on the dollar. But since no one wants these loans, and they've had to mark them down to market value, it has frozen the market. If we temporarily change the rule that forces companies to do that, that will free the market up.
This is an absolutely huge deal, and it involves everyone getting in touch with their congressperson before we spend hundreds of billions of dollars that we don't need to! Learn more
Will the collapse of businesses and banks affect me?
No, not unless you work there. Thousands of stock brokers on Wall Street have lost their jobs in the past few weeks, but that happens in other industries across the country in good and bad times. This time it just happened in NYC where all the national news media is so they made a big deal of it.
If I have 401(k) money in a Merrill Lynch or AIG trading account, should I move the money elsewhere?
No. Your money isn’t with them; your 401(k) money is in the stocks. These big companies are just managers (unless you directly own stock in their company). The only thing that may be an issue is if they crash later, you may have some customer service issues, but your money is still safe. This is a good reminder to not have all of your money in one stock—that’s stupid. Always spread out your money in various growth stock mutual funds.
With these acquisitions, will my 401(k) account and entire portfolio with Merrill Lynch be lost?
No. They just own the company Merrill Lynch. Look at it this way—if I owned 6 rental properties and hired a management company that eventually failed, I would still own the properties; I just wouldn’t have a manager. Your broker doesn’t have title to your stuff. Your 401(k) is not a company asset; that’s the beauty of it.
Should I sell my US stocks to buy gold and foreign stocks?
Absolutely not! Why would you think foreign stocks are any better than US stocks? Again, diversify your money in good growth stock mutual funds instead.
What practical lessons should small business owners learn from these bank difficulties?
When you have no cash, you freakin’ go broke. You must keep some cash on hand, no matter what kind of business you have. Give yourself some wiggle room where you can take a hit and still be standing.
Remain calm, America. We’re in a slow time, but just pay your bills and you’re going to be fine.
Related:
Contact your congressperson
More from Dave about the economy
Discuss this and more with other Dave Ramsey fans

Winds of Change

I have been hearing lots about "the winds of change" for 2008. Maybe some of you have been hearing the same. Looking at the current natural world between Ike and the elections - I see winds...strong winds, bringing lots of change. My mother-in-law was even affected by Ike and she lives in Chicago. Did you see how enormous Ike was? I am amazed at the power, strength and enormity of this storm. And talk about a change in the election world. Talk about power, energy, strength - I just wonder what all of this natural stuff might be saying about the Spiritual changes that are coming for each one of us! We are knit into the fabric, we are a part of the DNA of all God has planned - it is astounding what He desires for us. And I wonder, do we even have a clue what that looks like!

A small glimpse I saw as a mother this weekend is just a little window into the picture of what it must be like for God to watch us get it. We have been teaching and helping our three year old hear from the Lord. We always ask him did he have dreams from the Lord, or hear anything when we pray or lay hands on someone...usually we don't get a reply. But this weekend was different. After Bible study this week he sang all the way home about how much he loved his little brother. His entire attitude had changed from the days before. On and on he went...I was beaming of course. And then at dinner his dad said, "let's pray for mommy and see if the Lord gives us anything good for her." My three year old, who didn't seem to be paying a lick of attention said, "I saw two helmets." and that was it. I had gotten up to get another helping of food and I was overcome and about to burst into tears. The Lord immediately told me they represented his protection over two areas I was terribly worried about. I was so moved by the power that word had from a three year old who so casually offered a simple "thought."

I can just see God enjoying all the little achievements and steps we make - the "aaha" moments when we realize who He truly is! Many of us haven't even tapped into what God really has planned. For some, that thought is too much to even think about because we don't believe God can do much with us. But when I look at my child and think wow, if he is doing this at three - what will he be able to do with God at 15, 30, 50, 80 and so on! Wow. God says to us, "You did it! don't stop here, keep going - I have so much ahead for you. I can't wait, it's gonna be awesome!"

For me 2008 started off with change and I thought I would see huge changes quickly...but I haven't seen as much as I had hoped. Sometimes we can let discouragement set in when things don't move along like we wanted them to. Look at all the guys in the Bible who waited for what they new was to come. Simeon waited his whole life to see the Messiah, Noah waited a really long time for the rain (and was mocked in the waiting), David waited years to become King, and Jesus waited 3o years to start his ministry. IF we haven't seen it yet - one thing I have learned from my walk with the Lord is that He is faithful - and that is what I stand on when waiting for the winds of change! For I know the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me not to harm me, to give me hope and a future!!!

Eagles soar above the storm...they take the opportunity and use the wind to promote them higher and higher. So let's take out our kites (dreams, vision, plans, ideas, hopes, fears, wonders, circumstances) and throw them to the wind and see what God can do!!!!

*Please pray for the details of the women's retreat to come together!!!

Fall Women's Retreat

Last years Elizabeth Weekend was a great success! To build on what God did and is doing among us, we will be having another weekend for you this fall. I don't have too many details yet, but be on the look out for more info. very soon!